November 27, 2024
The holiday season is here, bringing with it the crisp chill of winter and the cozy warmth of gatherings with friends and family. What better way to celebrate than with a cup of festive tea in hand? Whether you’re looking to unwind after a busy day of holiday shopping or want to create new traditions with seasonal flavors, Simpson & Vail’s collection of holiday teas and recipes is here to help. From spiced blends that bring back memories of childhood to soothing, caffeine free brews that make chilly evenings feel magical, there’s a perfect tea and treat pairing for every moment of the season. So grab your favorite mug, get comfy, and let’s dive into these cozy recipes and delicious S&V tea blends that are sure to warm […]
March 28, 2024
Earl Grey teas, traditionally, were blends comprised of varying black teas with Bergamot oil added to them. Today, any tea (green, white, herbal) that is sprayed with Bergamot oil is known as Earl Grey (such as our Emerald Green Earl Grey, Rooibos Earl Grey, etc). Every tea merchant carries an Earl Grey black tea blend, but they are all very different due to the variations in black teas used for the blend and the quality of the bergamot oil. Earl Grey is also used in a wide variety of recipes – check out our delicious Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies! If baking isn’t for you, Earl Grey pairs well with liquor too. Earl Grey Marteani Makes one 6 oz. cocktail Ingredients: 1 1/2 oz. gin 1/2 oz. lemon juice 3/4 […]
March 28, 2024
Strawberry Lemonade Margarita: Ingredients (yields approx. 2 margaritas) – 2-3 Tablespoons Strawberry Lemonade Rooibos 5-8 Fresh Strawberries 1 Cup Lemonade (I used Simply Light) 1 Cup Silver Tequila Sugar & Lemon Slice for Garnish Instructions – Infuse Strawberry Lemonade Rooibos into any Silver Tequila (I used Espolòn Blanco Tequila). Let sit in the fridge for 24-48 hours or until tequila turns a dark pink/red. Strain the leaves using a fine strainer or cheese cloth. You may need to do this twice to remove all the rooibos leaves. Mash 1-2 strawberries into a cocktail shaker. Combine Strawberry Lemonade infused tequila, mashed strawberries, lemonade and ice into a cocktail shaker and shake until blended. I highly recommend using a ‘light’ or low sugar lemonade blend to avoid an overly sweet drink. Rim the margarita […]
October 22, 2020
Our new favorite Halloween treat with a few tricks! “When I looked around I saw and heard of none like me. Was I, then, a monster, a blot upon the earth from which all men fled and whom all men disowned?“ -Mary Shelley, Frankenstein Our NEW Mary Shelley Green Tea has arrived just in time for all of your spooky Halloween shenanigans. The Treat Tea was an essential part of Mary and Percy’s daily lives and it is recorded that they favored black tea that was sweetened. After learning of the plight of slaves on sugar cane plantations they boycotted sugar and, not liking unsweetened black tea, they switched to drinking plain green tea. Since there are no references to tea in Mary’s writings, the inspiration for this […]
July 24, 2020
TEA-quila Sunrise Cocktail Whether you’re enjoying a nice dinner or relaxing poolside, a Tequila Sunrise is perfect for any occasion. The first version of the Tequila Sunrise originated in Arizona and is a perfect representation of the vibrant Southwestern skies. In honor of National Tequila Day, we’ve made a TEA-quila blend based on this classic tequila cocktail complemented by S&V herbal “tea.” This beverage not only turned out aesthetically pleasing, but also a delicious tropical treat! A classic tequila sunrise includes: Grenadine, Orange Juice, and Tequila Our “tea” twist was to substitute the grenadine for our Simpson & Vail Orange Cranberry Herbal Tisane and a bit of hibiscus to create a Simple Syrup. Simple Syrup Ingredients: 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup sugar 2 tbsp (t-sacs) of […]
June 8, 2020
If you are looking for the prefect summer party starter give this refreshing recipe a try! A delicious “secret” from the south is the Great Southern Sweet Tea Slush which we are sharing with you today. Sweet tea can be traced back to the 1800’s in the US and is firmly rooted in the South. In fact, every good Southerner has their “perfect” sweet tea recipe. Recipes vary from ones where you think you are drinking more sugar than tea, to others that incorporate wonderfully tasty fruits like peaches and strawberries. You can try this super easy process with other drinks as well. GREAT SOUTHERN SWEET TEA SLUSH Yields: 4 servings Ingredients: 6 cups sweet tea (homemade with one of Simpson and Vail’s fantastic Iced Teas, sweetened to […]